Nelda Faye Vann died on Feb. 2, 2025, surrounded by her family.
A service will be held at First Street Church of Christ in Lampasas on Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. A visitation will be held at First Street Church of Christ at 10 a.m., with a luncheon at 11 a.m. All are invited to attend.
Burial will follow at Naruna Cemetery. Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel has charge of arrangements.
Nelda was born on Nov. 7, 1932, in Lampasas to Guy Willis Reding and Clara Black Reding.
She grew up in Lampasas, graduated from Lampasas High School and attended business school in Austin.
She married John Martin Vann on March 20, 1954, and lived in Austin for seven years.
They moved to San Saba, where Martin was the Barnes Keith Ranch foreman for 32 years. When the last of her daughters started first grade, she began driving the school bus and worked as a Head Start teacher and later worked in the Head Start District Office.
After retiring from their jobs in San Saba, Martin and Nelda moved to the Vann Ranch in Lampasas. Nelda kept children at the Lampasas Badger Center for several years. Nelda loved children of all ages. She fell in love with the children she taught and babysat, often keeping them after hours. Many affectionately called her Grana like her own grandchildren.
Nelda was a seamstress for her family, making all the clothes she and her daughters wore. She also made clothes for friends, knitted sweaters and crocheted various things. She served as a 4-H cooking and sewing leader.
Another of her joys was cooking and baking delicious meals and desserts. When entertaining, she was not intimidated by large crowds or last-minute meal preparations, and was known for her rolls, chocolate cake and pies. She enjoyed decorating and entertaining for holidays, especially for Christmas and Easter.
Nelda was known for her fun-loving spirit and was a second mom to many of her daughters’ friends. Everyone was welcome at her house and around her table.
One of Nelda’s greatest enjoyments was being on the Colorado River at the Vann Ranch with family and friends. She had an amazing amount of energy and enjoyed being on the go -- whether traveling, driving around on county roads, shopping or playing games.
She attended the Church of Christ and was a member of the Lampasas Bible Church. She often was found reading her Bible, doing Bible studies and devotionals. She even went on a mission trip to Mexico. She had a servant’s heart and worked behind the scenes helping others.
Nelda is survived by her three daughters, Suzette and Harley Stone and Nanette and Olan Tisdale, both of Fredericksburg, and Janette and Victor Stotts of Lampasas; seven grandchildren, Victoria Stone Meier and husband Dustin, John Stone and wife Maddison, Ericka Tisdale McBrine and husband Bill, Ross Tisdale, Rhett Tisdale and wife Jessica, Johnna Stotts Davis and husband Logan, and Vanna Stotts Gold and husband Edward; 12 greatgrandchildren, Berklie Meier, Theodore Stone, Jack, Fletcher, Hannah and Joshua McBrine, Abigail, Jonathan and Eli (on the way) Tisdale, Jed and Palmer Davis, and Raleigh Rose and Thatcher Gold; and many nieces and nephews.
Nelda was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Vann; her brother, Guy Reding; and a sister, Dorothy Collins.
Memorial donations may be made to Naruna Cemetery, Lampasas Bible Church, or the charity of one’s choice.
